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Scripture Reading — Luke 8:1-3
These women were helping to support [Jesus and the disciples] out of their own means.
—Luke 8:3
Jesus’ followers were a motley group of people: fisher folk, tax collectors, zealots, a woman who had been demon possessed, the wife of a royal official, and others. Some of them we know by name: Peter, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna. Others remain anonymous.
Like the Shunammite woman of Elisha’s day, Mary Magdalene is named for the village she was from, Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. Like the Shunammite woman, she was a person of hospitality. Since Jesus was a traveling rabbi, she and others went along, helping to provide for him and his disciples with money they had earned.
Traveling with Jesus, Mary Magdalene watched, learned, and profoundly loved this wondrous person who had saved her from demon possession. Even better than that, Jesus saved her from the curse of sin and the affliction of a life without God’s love.
Later Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection, and he told her to go and tell the others (John 20:11-18). She was blessed with the honor of being the first to bring this good news!
Have you exercised that honor today as well? Whom might Jesus want you to share the good news with next?
Lord Jesus, may we always remember that every cup of water poured, every offer of help, every visit, every act of hospitality done in your name is the same as offering it to you. Help us to share your love and good news with oth-ers. Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
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